Hollywood Woman Dies In 6-vehicle, Morning Collision On I-95

A six-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 in Hollywood killed a motorist and closed the highway for about two hours during the Monday morning rush hour. No one else was injured in the accident.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, at about 8 a.m. Sonja H. DiPaolo, 47, of Hollywood, was traveling southbound in a 2001 Toyota Camry in the far-right lane, exiting for Sheridan Street. She was struck from behind by a 1999 Ford pickup truck driven by Jason Beans, 27, also of Hollywood. The Toyota then hit a 2000 Chevrolet in front of her being driven by Sherry M. Hoffman, 55, of Dania Beach.

Lt. Roger Reyes, FHP spokesman, said DiPaolo then crossed into the center southbound lane, where she was hit on the driver's side by a tour bus being driven by Tommie Lott, 27, of Johnston, S.C. The impact sent DiPaolo's car spinning into the inside lane, where it was hit on the passenger side by another 1999 Ford pickup, this one driven by Kameron Busch, 42, of Fort Lauderdale.

Busch's pickup was in turn rear-ended by a 1993 Nissan Altima driven by Pilar Mendoza, 36, of Lake Worth.

Hollywood fire rescue units arrived, and DiPaolo was pronounced dead at the scene, Reyes said. None of the other motorists involved, all of whom were wearing seatbelts, were injured.

The accident closed I-95 from Stirling Road to Sheridan Street for about two hours, Reyes said. Though notice of the closing was posted on overhead highway information signs in the area, Reyes said drivers still proceeded toward it, causing a traffic jam until the interstate re-opened.

Charges are possible, pending further investigation, Reyes said.

Robert Nolin can be reached at rnolin@sun-sentinel.com or 954-385-7912.